Volunteer Technical / Security Support Fellow

Position Overview

The Volunteer Technical / Security Support Fellow supports PEP’s digital infrastructure, data integrity, and basic cybersecurity hygiene. This role is ideal for someone interested in cybersecurity, information assurance, IT systems, or ethical technology — especially as they relate to civil liberties, surveillance, and public accountability.

This is not a penetration-testing or offensive security role. Instead, it focuses on supportive, defensive, and advisory work to help a small nonprofit operate safely, responsibly, and sustainably.

Key Responsibilities

Depending on skills and interests, responsibilities may include:

Technical & Security Support

• Assist with reviewing and improving basic cybersecurity practices (password hygiene, access control, permissions, MFA use).
• Help document security protocols and internal best practices.
• Support account management and access reviews for volunteers and fellows.
• Help identify low-cost or open-source tools for secure collaboration.
• Provide guidance on secure file storage, data sharing, and backups.

Infrastructure & Platform Support

• Assist with website or backend troubleshooting in coordination with the web team.
• Support basic hosting, DNS, or domain-related questions (as appropriate).
• Help document workflows for onboarding/offboarding users.
• Assist with audits of tools used across Google Workspace, website platforms, or collaboration tools.

Research & Policy Support (optional track)

• Contribute research on cybersecurity, surveillance technologies, or digital militarization.
• Help analyze public documents related to government tech, policing software, or defense IT contracts.
• Support written briefs, explainers, or internal memos related to digital security and civil liberties.

Documentation & Training

• Help draft simple guides for non-technical staff (e.g., “Security basics for fellows”).
• Support onboarding documentation for future technical volunteers.
• Help create internal checklists and risk-awareness materials.

Desired Qualifications

• Interest in cybersecurity, IT systems, computer science, or information assurance
• Familiarity with basic security concepts (authentication, permissions, encryption, threat models)
• Comfort working with digital tools and troubleshooting issues
• Strong attention to detail and documentation skills
• Interest in ethics, civil liberties, or technology’s role in society
• Ability to work independently and communicate clearly in a remote environment

Nice to Have (but not required)

• Coursework or experience in cybersecurity, IT, or computer science
• Familiarity with Linux, GitHub, or web hosting environments
• Experience with privacy tools or digital safety practices
• Interest in military, surveillance, or policing technologies from a critical or ethical perspective
• Prior volunteer or nonprofit experience

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience supporting real-world digital infrastructure
• Exposure to ethical and policy dimensions of security and militarization
• Mentorship and guidance in applied research or tech-for-good work
• Portfolio-ready experience and references upon successful completion
• Opportunity to shape best practices for a growing national project
• Flexible, remote collaboration in a mission-driven environment

Time Commitment

Approximately 5–10 hours per week, flexible scheduling.

Term

Typically one academic term (10–12 weeks), with the option to extend.